Cricket fans are being urged to throw away light-up wristbands handed out during matches involving the Australian team in Brisbane and Melbourne this month after a Queensland child swallowed a dangerous button battery.
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Included in the warning are similar wristbands distributed at Big Bash matches, including a Perth Scorchers home game in the 2016-17 season and all of this year's Melbourne Stars home games at the MCG, games at the Ted Summerton Reserve and the Gold Coast's Metricon Stadium.
An Alinta Energy spokesman said not all spectators at these matches were given wristbands and the company estimated about 3000 were distributed.
The wristbands were distributed in bays N53-N57 and M53-75 at the one-day international clash with India at the MCG on Friday, January 18.
They were also handed out to sections 31-37 lower bowl and 71-75 upper bowl during day one of the Test match against Sri Lanka at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday, January 24.
Spectators who attended any of this year's Melbourne Stars home games during this year's Big Bash season and anyone who went to the WACA during Perth Scorchers home games during the in the 2016-17 season should also throw out wristbands they were given.
The warning issued by Cricket Australia and Alinta Energy said the button batteries could "could cause severe risk of injury if ingested by small children".
"After receiving feedback from attendees, the wristbands were swiftly withdrawn from a planned distribution on Saturday, January 26," the statement read.
"On Tuesday, January 29, we were also made aware of a safety incident involving a child.
"We understand the child swallowed a battery but has received medical attention. We have reached out to the family to offer our support.
"We have published public notices widely today, and will be taking further action to communicate with attendees of those games and ensuring that the appropriate authorities are informed.
"The safety of cricket fans is our number one priority, and we recommend immediately disposing of these wristbands."
Anaesthetist Dr Jayne Berryman raised the safety issue with Alinta Energy and Cricket Australia last Thursday through Twitter.
"Attended the first day of the Gabba test, these wrist bands handed out en masse to kids," she wrote.
"Shocked to find easy access button batteries. These can kill a child in only hours if ingested. Stop handing out this dangerous junk."
Alinta Energy responded the same day: "Thanks for raising your concerns Dr Berryman. Alinta Energy takes safety seriously and have ceased distribution of the wristband."
